A glider on an air track is connected by a spring to the end of the air track. If it takes $0.30 \mathrm{~s}$ for the glider to travel the distance of $12 \mathrm{~cm}$ from one turning point to the other, its amplitude is
A) $12 \mathrm{~cm}$
B) $6 \mathrm{~cm}$
C) $24 \mathrm{~cm}$
D) $36 \mathrm{~cm}$
E) $3.6 \mathrm{~cm}$
F) We are not given enough information to answer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The amplitude of a simple harmonic motion is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position. The distance given (12 cm) is the total round trip from one turning point to the other and back to the starting point, which means the amplitude (half the round trip) is 6 cm.

A Glider on an Air Track Is Connected by a Spring